Last week, I took 3 very slow trains to Minto to pick up a 2010 Citroen DS3 Sport purchased in Victoria and transported by truck to Sydney. Bought sight unseen for $7000, I picked it up in the pouring rain and drove home hoping it might be the solution to the car problem that has become apparent since moving to the Upper Blue Mountains from Sydney two years ago.
The two current cars, a 2016 Ford Mustang V8 GT and 1993 Porsche 911 (964) coupe, are wonderful to drive on the right day and on the right roads. As daily drivers though, neither are quite suitable for everyday driving around here.
Firstly, there are the rough local roads which are often more like goat tracks and are riddled with acutely angled junctions so tight they’d test the steering lock of a London taxi.
As can be imagined, neither Porsche or Mustang are in their natural habitat here. Fine for long weekend drives but not local driving. Especially because of the suspension modifications made to both cars that make them wonderful on great driving roads or race tracks ensure they are just too stiff and uncomfortable to be considered daily drivers.
Then there’s the issue of taking Dexter the dog for bush walks twice a day. This ensures grass, mud and worse make sure the interior of either car is always needing a clean, a process that’s become incredibly tedious and time-consuming.
And neither car has a back seat you’d inflict on any adult friends, which is a problem when guests from Sydney are staying over. You get the picture – a third, reasonably sensible car has become a necessity, not a luxury.
It’s funny how you can forget why small hatchbacks are popular, especially after living with two relatively hardcore coupes every day. Immediately, I’m impressed at the lightness of all the controls, the steering lock, the visibility and the way the fuel gauge needle moves so slowly even on a long trip.
Surprisingly, on our testing local roads, the little Citroen manages to absorb all the terrible bumps amazingly well, especially for a car with hot hatch pretensions, in contrast to the previously-owned Abarth Fiat that felt like riding a pogo-stick unless you were on billiard smooth surfaces. A combination of a supple ride and flat handling make the DS3 feel surprisingly grown-up for a small car.
Another bonus is how I can now turn out of the drive without making a three-point turn and supermarket parking is a breeze. Out on the highway, the 1.6-litre, turbo motor (same as a Cooper S) pulls hard and is quick enough to be interesting. What’s more, it still feels remarkably solid and rattle-free, unlike the Citroen XM I once bought (a sad and sorry tale I’ll have to tell one day).
Best of all, Dexter now resides in the boot, which is covered with a tailor-made rubber mat, so the interior is no longer a muddy mess after his bush walks. Oh, how I’ve missed the joys of a (relatively) sensible car!
Well, no car is perfect and, after 5 days of lashing storms, a quick burst of sunshine has allowed me to give the DS3 a bit of a closer look. Cosmetically, it’s generally very good for 10-year old car. There are no dents although there are the usual scratches around the door handles and door edges. The leather interior looks good but could do with some good hide food, and I can see some evidence of minor kerb rash on a couple of the wheels. Nothing too drastic then.
The tyres are Jinsu (whoever they are). Apparently, they’re Chinese and their mediocre wet grip mean I’m sure to be shelling out for new tyres fairly soon. I never understand why people buy the cheapest crap tyres when decent tyres can literally save your life. Non-car enthusiasts always bang on about safety yet are happy to save a few dollars by buying some cheap, grip-free tyres.
I’ve also noticed the idle is slightly uneven and the constant rain has managed to penetrate one of the headlamps, so I’ll need to keep an eye on a few things and think about a tune-up.
Overall, after nearly a week of ownership, I’m still overjoyed at how good a $7000 car can be. Am I wearing rose-tinted, used car spectacles that blind me to the little Citroen’s faults? Only time and extra kilometres will reveal if this one is a keeper.
Another major bonus is that my wife, always a Citroen fan, loves the DS3 and is far happier driving it than she ever was with the Mustang or Porsche.
I’m hoping this good news continues because, with one practical car available, maybe it’s time to consider replacing the other two cars with one. Currently, I’m spending endless hours searching online to find a car that might possibly replace the current two sports coupes in the garage and, hopefully, leave a little money left over too.
The possible next car list includes another Porsche – 996/997 or Cayman, Lotus Evora S, Exige, or Elise, BMW 1M, and Audi RS4. Alternatively, I could be tempted back into the classic Lancia fold once more – there’s a lovely Delta Integrale EVO 1 for sale at present and two very pretty Flavia coupes. I’ve also noticed that Guilia Quadrifoglio prices have become reasonably affordable lately. Tempting, even if it would continue to lose value for some time yet. Honestly, I’ve still no idea what the next car might be.
In the meantime, I’ll provide updates on how the Citroen is going and what could become its garage companion in the future.
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